
Class IBS_3JL/^_ 

copntiGrrr deposit. 



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LILTS 

of 

LOVE 






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Copyright^ tgzo. by R.J. Hamtrshlag 



HtC P8 1920 
^CU605140 



To R. S. E. 

±VE, put my heart on each page. Sue, 

Through all the weary days I've waited. 

And dedicate this book to you 

To whom my life is dedicated! 

R. J. H. 



July I, igso 



LILrS of LOVE 



Index — Chronologically Arranged 

Page 

Introductory Excuses 9 

Echoes of Youth 

The Questing 13 

Ode 14 

The Ballad of Two Poor Fools 15-16 

Love at First Sight 17-18 

A Dream 19 

Blue Eyes 20 

Sister and Brother Stuff ai 

Rhyme of the Pesky Pin 22-23 

Farewell Toast 24 

Fragments Jr am France 

The Last Farewell 29 

Her Instructions 3° 

Ballad of the Crow's-Nest 31-32 

Loneliness 33-34 

Prayer Before Battle 35 

Hope 36 

O L Living 37 

Sunset 38 

Later Lilts 

Love, Lips and Laughter 43 

Susie's Soliloquy 44-45 

Youth and Beauty 46 

Song of the Soulful Souse 47 

Ode 48 

Once, Long Ago 49 

Open Wounds 50 

Desire 51 

The Rose and the Nightingale 52-53 

The Awakening 54 

The Talisman 55 

The Sea and I 56 

A Social Error 57 

June Twilight 58 

The Fairy Ring 59 

Loyalty 60 



INTRODUCTORY EXCUSES 



OOME think that there can be no worse 

A pest than he who sends 
A lot of sentimental verse 

To all his female friends. 



And since these pages, you'll observe, 

Echo that very note, 
I hope that you'll forgive my nerve 

In making you the goat! 



The winged words the Muse has lent 

My fancy follow after — 
With Humor 'neath the sentiment 

And Love beneath the laughter. 



ECHOES OF YOUTH 



THE QUESTING 



Jtl EART of my heart, as I gaze tonight 
From the casement here in my lonely room, 
At the myriad stars, so fiercely bright, 
So far away in the velvet gloom, — 

I breathe'out my heart over land and sea 
To find yours and bring it home to me. 



Eager it searches the spaces far, 
Panting its passion as young hearts do — 
But the farthest bound of the farthest star 
Is not as far as am I from vou! 



Blindly it seeks you, crying your name 
To the ends of the world where the planets part,- 
But, winning or losing, its fires shall fiame 
Forever and ever, — Heart of my heart. 



13 



ODE 



rVAREST, fairest, Ruth Suzanne, 

Of all fairest, Ruth Suzanne, 
Oft I vision you in dreaming, — 
Dark hair over shoulders streaming, 
In your eyes the lovelights beaming 

For some unnamed, unknown man. 

Would that they for me were gleaming, 

Star-eyed little Ruth Suzanne! 



Nearest, dearest Ruth Suzanne, 

Ever dearest, Ruth Suzanne, 
When I hear you, softly singing, 
Through my heart your voice goes ringing. 
Sends the blood of me a-flinging 

Faster than it ever ran! 
In my breast fresh hope is springing 
Star- voiced little Ruth Suzanne! 



Flushing, blushing Ruth Suzanne, 

Crimson blushing Ruth Suzanne, 
Hard it is for me to face you 
Calmly, when I'm wild to chase you, 
Catch, and in my arms encase you 

Like some wild, cave-dwelling man. 

Long and fierce I would embrace you. 

Crush you to me, Ruth Suzanne. 



14 



THE BALLAD OF TWO POOR FOOLS 



XNOW Freddie and me were pals, you see 

And probably that's how it all began, 
For when we met Ruth, why, to tell the truth, 

We fell, as had every other man! 

Freddie fell first, — but I fell worst, — 

His was the joy, while the heartache was mine. 

And he stormed her heart with his devious art 
Did Freddie, the lad with the luscious line. 

Oh, her eyes in hue were a soft deep blue 

That sparkled and shone with a light divine; 

And they sparkled bright, almost every night. 
For Freddie, the lad with the luscious line. 

'Neath the great round moon they would sit and spoon. 
Or stroll on the sands near the moaning brine; 

And she hummed a song, as they bummed along, 
To Freddie, the lad with the luscious line. 

They would sail, those two, in a frail canoe. 

While the hot blood sang through his veins like wine 

And he swore his love by the stars above, 
Did Freddie, the lad with the luscious line. 

He e'en tried his charm out on Sweetbriar Farm, 
'Mongst the geese and mosquitoes and lowing kine. 

And there she would lurk, to admire the work 
Of Freddie, the lad with the luscious line. 

Then along came Bob, and got on the job 

With his staunch little *Paige, and a wild desire 

To win a kiss from this lissom Miss 

Who filled his heart with consuming fire. 



*^The Paige was new that year. 



15 



Then you'd drive with me to the slow-sighing sea, 
And I watched your eyes mirror the stars above, — 

Poured my hopes and fears in your tiny ears, 
And spoke of everything — but my love! 

And O, you were fair beyond compare 

As you cuddled in silence at my side 
And your heart lay free as the pulsing sea, 

And my love flowed in, with the rising tide. 

And sometimes our way lay toward Pleasure Bay, 
And we'd climb the heights on the Navesink shore 

Or in Price's we'd glance for a bite and a dance 
For you had it all over old Terpsichor(e)! 

Then you sang to me, and the melody 

Throbbed through my being, — I'll ne'er forget! 

And my heart lay bare, and you saw it there, 
And took it, and held it, — and have it yet. 

How the heart of me springs, aye, each part ofme sings 
When I think of the maid that may soon be mine: 

For I'll lay a bet that I'll win you yet 

From Freddie, the lad with the luscious line! 

Tell me, O Queen of the witching dance, 
Tell me, Kid, — have I got a chance? 



16 



LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT 



^^H, Love at first sight came to me one night 

In June, just two summers ago; 
And ever since then, Dear, again and again 

I've rejoiced that it all happened so! 

I had but a glance of you at a dance, 

And I lamped you from afar; 
And I spoke to my chum, and he asked you to come 

A-riding with us in my car. 

Most blithely you came, and he told you my name, 

Which int'rested you not at all; 
But, lovely as Venus, you snuggled between us — 

And straightway I started to fall! 

We sped silent along, and you sang us a song 

Till I quivered and thrilled through and through; 

For your ways and your voice were so sweet, I'd no choice 
But to tumble in love with you! 

Oh, the fragrant delight of that warm starlit night 

Will linger for aye in my mind; 
And I'll see you again, even as you were then. 

When I've left Youth and Joy far behind. 

We sped from the cornfields to deep-shadowed woods. 

Moon and stars disappeared from our ken. 
And we sniffed the cool breeze 'mongst the whispering trees,- 

Then out into moonlight again! 

W^e passed fields of clover, wild roses, and thyme. 

Drank deep of the sweet-perfumed air, — 
But sweeter to me, in my mad ecstasy. 

Was the scent of your wind-tousled hair! 



17 



For a stray curling strand had escaped from its band, 

And, fluttering, blew 'gainst my face, 
And my lips caught and pressed it, and kissed and caressed it. 

Before you returned it to place! 

And I thought of my life, — full of sorrow and strife. 

Next to vast love that I might have had; 
And I swore to the sky that I'd love you for aye. 

And the great moon smiled down, ami was glad. 

Now often I've tried, with you at my side 

To find what your feelings might be; 
And I made it quite clear that I wanted you. Dear, 

And learned that you didn't want me! 

And if I can't win with a good-natured grin 

I shall have to try treating you rough. 
And though you get sore, I shall kiss you the more, — 

For I ne'er know when I've had enough! 



Now I've sung the lay, in my clumsy way, 
Of my suit for your heart and hand; 

In a jesting guise, — but, Dear, you are wise. 
And I'm sure vou will understand. 



That I love you so, but too well you know. 
And have known from the very start, 

So judge, in your mirth, what the jest is worth. 
That covers an aching heart! 



18 



A DREAM 



iVlY pulse beats fast and faster 

As I wander with you along, 
Where the moon's soft rays light the shadowed ways 

And the lure of the night is strong; 
And my soul, as a harp to its master. 

Vibrates to the thrill of your song. 



And my heart is overflowing 

With Life's red, o'erpowering wine, 

So I seize you, warm, in my 'circling arm 
And crush your lips to mine; 

And lo! your cheeks are glowing 
With the flush of the crimson vine! 



And starry lights are gleaming 

In your sott deep eyes of blue, 
And the moments fly, and you breathe a sigh 

And kiss me, as I kissed you, — 



Then I wake with a cry from my dreaming 
And pray it will all come true! 



19 



BLUE EYES 



i^OFT as the blue of the virgin skies 
In the warmth of the suns of June — 

E'en so is the blue of your laughing eyes 
When vour heart is all in tune. 



Dark as the flashing blue of the wave 

Before the day-dawn nears — 
So dark your eyes when your thoughts are grave 

And your soul is steeped in fears. 



As the liquid blue of the lone pond's hue 
That mirrors the stars above, — 

So deep and true are the eyes of you 
With their glory of mirrored love! 



But, alas! for the star-flung hopes of Youth 

Whose dreams shall never be; 
For deep have I gazed in those eyes, O Ruth, 

And their light is not for me! 



20 



SISTER AND BROTHER STUFF 



X HE last lone link has been broken 

Which bound you so fast to me, 
For the words that I have spoken 

Have served to set you free. 
I swore that I'd be your Brother, 

To watch and guard you for aye. 
And I yielded unto another 

The joy ot the Lover's way! 
And my soul is steeped in sorrow 

And my eyes are near to tears 
As I think of the vain tomorrow 

And the loom of the empty years! 



Cast not again upon my heart 

Your spell, O witching Ruth Suzanne 

Lest I forget the Brother's part 
And change once more to man! 



21 



RHYME OF THE PESKY PIN 

(In Jan. j — Out Jan. lo, 1918) 

l\ PESKY Pin once started in to see the world of Man, 

So he saUied forth on a piece of fur round the neck of Ruth Suzanne. 

Suzanne looked sweet as she went to meet her beau at the Plaza Grill, 
And her heart was gay, for she little dreamed of the impending ill. 

She reached the Grill, but the joint was still, — her guy was not yet there; 
So she adjourned to the Ladies' Room, to tidy her wind-blown hair. 

She soon fixed that, put on her hat, and straightened her dress round the hips. 
Took the Pesky Pin by its great round head, and put it between iier lips. 

She forgot the damn thing and began to sing, — but e'er she had uttered a note 
The Pesky Pin, with a sneering laugh, slid down her unwilling throat. 

She coughed a bit, and near threw a fit, but the rude Pin still went down, 
So Sue rushed out to tell her man, her pretty face a-frown. 

She found her beau, and let him know that she'd swallowed the Pesky Pin, 
And he, in fear to the doctors near, phoned but could find none in. 

So they hastened back to the Regal shack where dwelled the sweet Suzanne 
And told her Dad, who hurried her to the home of the X-Ray man. 

And the Pesky Pin oozed its trail of tin toward the place where the eatables go. 
But came to a dark inviting hole and switched off to see the show. 

And the membranes there, all naked bare, did see the Pin and blush. 
So they tucked him away in a downy cloud of mellowy mucous mush. 



22 



And the fluoroscope soon got the dope, and found the bilious boob 
With his big black head, on its mucous bed, asleep in the bronchial tube. 

And then they laid the plucky maid on an operating table 
xAnd the doctor tried to get inside as fast as he was able. 

He stuck his paw down her tender jaw, to pull the damn thing out 
But he couldn't reach the Pesky Pin, — his forearm was too stout. 

So he tried in vain, and through awful pain, Suzanne did laugh and joke. 
And her cheery wit and her wondrous grit surprised the blooming bloke. 

For her mouth was sore, and her throat was raw, her insides racked with pain, 
But she kidded the Doctor-Man along, and urged him to try again! 

They took her at last to that village vast where Dr. Jackson bunked; 

And the Pesky Pin grinned a ghastly grin, for he knew that he was skunked! 

The famous man took the brave Suzanne, and turned her feet-side up, 
Till the Pesky Pin came sliding out plumb into the waiting cup! 

And the Pin was mad, but the Girl was glad, and danced around for joy, 
And packed the Pin in a Parcel Post, to send to her Soldier Boy. 

I 

He took the Pin and stuck it in a crack in the prison wall. 

And his Casuals came, with eyes aflame, — four hundred men in all. 

x-And no one stirred, but at his word, — (they knew their work full well) 
Four hundred rifles roared as one, and the Pin was shot to Hell! 

And now as I bid her "Good-bye," and softly breathe her name, 
I know her pluck will give me, too, the guts to play the Game! 



23 



FAREWELL TOAST 



Hi 



.ERE'S to the light of those blue-gray eyes 

That smile on me in dreams: 
Blue with the gladness of summer skies, 
Gray with the pain that behind them lies, 
Lighting with laughter, clouding with sighs, 

Shining with stardrift gleams! 



Here's to the fragrance of orient lands 

Haunting your dark brown hair! 
To the glint of gold in its curling strands' 
Here's to the touch ot the tiny hands 
That clasped my heart as in iron bands 
And locked your image there! 



Here's to your shoulders, like gleaming snow, 

And the lure of your warm young arms! 
To the lips, up-curved in a Cupid's bow, 
And the sweet star-voice that thrills me so, 
That rings in my ears where'er I go, 
And holds me with fairy charms! 



Here's to the heart of you, Ruth Suzanne, 

Great as the boundless sky! 
Out in the far-Hung battle's van 
I'll fight as only Lovers can, — 
If I acquit me as a man 

What matter if I die? 
Think ot me sometimes, Ruth Suzanne, — 

Here's to you. Dear, — Goodbye! 



24 



FRAGMENTS FROM FRANCE 



THE LAST FAREWELL 



Your eyes are bright with a starry light, 

Honest and brave and true; 
And I must leave, though my heart is burning. 
All of my soul is a hungry yearning, 
Dear, and my eyes will be always turning 
Westward, to vision you! 



Heart of me, smile for a little while 
And hide away your pain — 
Put far away. Dear, the phantoms that hound you. 
Remember only that Love has now found you 
Dear, and my arms will be always around you 
When I come home again! 



Your voice is low as you bid me go. 
And your heart is torn and sore; 
Soul of my soul, I shall aye dream of you. 
True as the stars that shine above you, — 
More than all else in the World I love you 
Now and for evermore! 



You breathe a sigh as I say good-bye 
And hide away your pain — 
Dear, I will give you the moon to stay with, 
Give you the stars to run away with 
All the wide World will be yours to play with 
When I come home again! 



29 



HER INSTRUCTIONS 



X 



ALK not of Life, Dear 
For Life means but sorrow, 
Struggle and strife, Dear, 

Painful and sore! 
Talk not of Death, Dear, 

For Death means no morrow. 
Only a dark dream that ne'er will be o'er! 



Life is a light, Dear, 

Fitfully gleaming 
Through the black night, Dear, 

But vanished at day; 
Death is a darkness, — a Lethean dreaming,- 
Only our Love, Dear, 

Lives on for aye! 



Talk then of Love, Dear, 
That, like a blessing, 

Comes from above, Dear, 
In our hearts to rest; 

Then with your lips. Dear, 
My lips caressing — 
Hold me, enfold me, close to your breast! 



30 



BALLAD OF THE CROW'S-NEST 



In a crow's-nest, lashed to a flimsy mast. 

Swung high o'er the blue-green sea 
Swayed a soldier lad, and his heart was sad 

And choked with misery. 

His keen eyes swept the sparkling waves 

For he guarded the men below; 
And the day was clear, so far and near 

He watched for the lurking foe. 

The cloudless sky was clear and blue. 

The wind laughed merrily, 
And the sun shone bright, and the waves foamed white 

All over the blue-green sea. 

His keen eyes swept the sun-kissed waves. 

But his thoughts were far away 
With a little maid, by whose side he'd strayed 

Through many a happy day. 

Her voice was the song of the merry wind 

That laughed at his tale of love. 
But her heart was true as the deep, deep blue 

Ot the vaulted sky above. 

Damp was her hair as the brown seaweed 

And scented with mystery, 
And her arms were white as the foam, and the light 

Ot her eyes was the light of the sea! 

His keen eyes swept the glancing waves 

That foamed white as the snows, — 
On her cheeks lay the flush of the rose's blush. 

And her breath was the breath of the rose. 



31 



Pure she was as the snow-white gull 

That hovered o'er the sea — 
But he had pressed her to his breast 

And held her hungrily! 

Sweet she was as a summer breeze, — 

Proud as a Goddess is — 
But he'd kept her, warm, in his circling arm 

And crushed her lips to his! 

O, the wistful light in her wistful eyes 

When he — but his own were keen, 
And he shouted, "Ho, down there below, 

At forty, a submarine!" 

Then out Death poured as the great guns roared 

Till the sea flung their echoes back; 
And only the rising bubbles showed 

The dying monster's track. 

And again the lad in the crow's-nest high 

Took up the watcher's part, 
With his eyes toward France, but his young Romance 

Still tugging at his heart! 



32 



LONELINESS 
(At Lake Champlain) 

-L^ ONELY I sit in the evening, on the shore of the moonlit lake, 

Watching the silvered ripples widen until they break, 

Watching the shadows deepen 'neath the great moon's steady rays. 

While the mountains loom 

Through the purple gloom 
Like ghosts of the bygone days. 

Silent and sad I sit there, alone on the shelving shore. 
Dreaming of castles in the air that I built in the days of yore, 
Dreaming of many happy hours I spent with One apart; 

And the moondrift shines 

Through the scented pines 
Deep into my hungry heart. 

But sudden my senses quicken, and my blood runs all aflame. 

For I seem to hear, through the stillness, a loved voice call my name. 

And I leap to the shade of the pine-trees, and search there all around 

And a dear face floats 

Through the haunting notes 
And draws me to the sound. 



Then, through the great night-silence, I hear the call again 
And eager I rush to the thicket whence comes the sweet refrain, 
But no, — 'tis only a lonely bird, sobbing a plaintive song, 

And I raise my eyes 

To the star-strewn skies, 
And cry aloud, "How long.^" 

"How long, O King of many worlds. Lord of Eternity, 
"Must I toil and sufi^er, and sorrow, and wait in agony.'' 
"Shall my heart be filled with shadows, where once the sunlight shone? 
"Tell me, O God, 
"Must I always plod 
"Life's dreary path alone?" 



33 



I speak, and listen eager, with yearning arms stretched high, 

And sudden a great Voice answers, that booms from the very sky: 

"When the Great War is over and ended, and Peace has come again, 

"You shall be rid of your sorrow, you shall be free of your pain, 

"So gird you now for blood-soaked fields where the crimson star-shell gleams, 

"Strike hard and deep, 

"And you shall reap 
"Rewards beyond your dreams!" 

I turn and wend my lonely way back to the sleeping camp, 
And bend down over a rough hewn bench beside a feeble lamp, 
And write to the One I hunger for, that, though the night is grey, 
I can see afar 
Through the smoke of war 
The dawn of a happier day! 



34 



PRAYER BEFORE BATTLE 



1 F Death should call on me to-night, 
Dear Lord, 

To claim me as his own. 
In all the fierce red clamor of the fight 
I pray thee, let me answer, with the right 

To find my way alone. 



If I should pass to-night beyond thy ken, 
Dear Heart, 

Outside the vision of thine eyes, 
Slain by the passion of my fellow-men, 
Still, be thou brave! — Our lips shall meet again 

In Paradise! 



35 



HOPE 



Wi 



HEN night's at its blackest, 
And dawn seems afar, 
There gleams, through the darkness, 
A Star. 



When Life's at its grimmest, 
And Death hovers above, 
O'er the sea thrills a whisper 
Of Love! 



36 



ON LIVING 



K 



EEP courage in your heart, — faith in your soul 

And beauty in your mind; 
Build visions of the glory of the goal 

You are to find. 
Sometimes realities may bathe you in 

A fleeting, sweet caress — 
But only through illusions can you win 

To happiness. 
Live hard and straight and clean, so that you may 

Gain broader, nobler view, — 
And hold fast to your dreams — some far-off day 

They will come true! 



37 



SUNSET 



Vy EYES that gaze across the sea, all flecked with starlit gleaming, 
To where the long white roads of France merge into twilit sky; 

That seek to pierce the bloody mist, and, dimmed with tears and dreaming. 
Vision a well-loved form among the dead that never die! 



O arms outstretched to shelter me, all soft and young and yearning, 
Whose warmth enfolds me even now, though far and all alone. 

Arms that encircle all my heart, so sadly, madly burning 
To fly to you o'er half the world, and fold you in my own! 



O lips that droop so wistfully, all laden down with sorrow. 

Whose whispered words of love I hear four thousand miles away, 

Lips that I once crushed close to mine — O, I fear not tomorrow 
If only I can taste again the lips of yesterday! 



O heart that is a part of me, where'er I may be roaming, 

Whether it he o'er shell-swept fields or danger-lurking sea, — 

Through all the wars of all the Worlds, — I know, when I come homing. 
Those lips and arms and eyes I love are waiting there for me. 



38 



LATER LILTS 



LOVE, LIPS AND LAUGHTER 



L/ONG, weary days I visioned you in France 
As on the night you bade good-bye to me — 
When Love, and Lips, and Laughter met by chance 
And sealed their pledge of lasting loyalty. 



Long, weary nights I dreamed you kept me warm 
Beneath the soft cloak, of your fragrant hair, — 
The while I pressed you close, with hungry arm 
Encircling you, to hold you always there. 



But now the War is over, and I learn 
You cannot yet divine your Soul's desirfes; 
You have no words to welcome my return — 
My flaming heart awakes no answering fires. 
Laughter will not survive the autumn rain, 
Lips will soon wither, nor grow young again, 
Love, unreturned, will die, and leave but pain! 



43 



SUSIE'S SOLILOQUY 



R 



OSSBACH'S dates I often break- 
Full fifteen years he's known me 

And if my folks should see him make 

His wool and my silk shimmy shake 
I know they would disown me! 

He always has the damnedest cheek — 

I let hhn see me once a week. 

Larry is tall, thin as a ghost, 

His neckties are entrancing; 
He Hupps me hup and down the coast, 
I really think I like him most 

When he's dolled up for dancing. 
He foxtrots like a perfect streak — 
I let him see me twice a week. 

Freddie always treats me rough. 

His fussing sometimes bores me. 
But even when I've had enough 
He tries to pull his cave-man stuff, — 

Cheesechriste, how he adores me! 
We always fight, and part in pique, 
I let him see me thrice a week. 

Alfy's a darling little dear, 

So young and yet so shikker. 
He Buicks round when I am here 
And takes me down to Silvermere 

And fills me full of liquor. 
He is so handsome and so chic 
That I see him four times a week. 

Walter is full of pep and vim. 

His conversation's witty; 
He and I ride and drive and swim, — 
I sit long dances out with him, — 

His sisters are so pretty! 
Once, years ago, I punched his beak; 
He dates me up five times a week. 



44 



Young Blum's a stickler in his dress, 

His golf-suit's a humdinger; 
He's sometimes shocked at the excess- 
ive naughty way I talk, — and, yes, 

He idolizes Singer! 
He often comes his girl to seek. 

So I see him six times a week. 

Bob is a good old faithful scout. 

He's loved me many years. 
He likes to call and take me out 
For auto rides, one arm about 

Me while the other steers. 
He phones me when he stays away — 
He comes round at least once each day. 

For me they make day and night ring 

With fun and jolly laughter; 
We dance and ride and play and sing. 
And give no thought to anything 

To come in the Hereafter. 
Some day with pain six hearts will throb 
When I run off — and marry Bob! 



Author s Note. — While the ratings of the various contestants have 
changed considerably since this rhyme was written (September, 
1919) nevertheless the last verse still holds good. — R. J. H. 



45 



YOUTH AND BEAUTY 

Youth and Beauty met one day 
When the skies gleamed warm above; 
The fields were flowered with colors gay, 
The warblers trilled in the hawthorn spray, 
And the earth was heavy with scents of May 
And pregnant with dreams of love. 

And proud Youth cried — "I am young and strong 
"And my blood is aflame with Life's ardent fire! 

"I've waited and worshiped and loved you long, 
"Heart of me, — come, — fulfill my desire!" 

But Beauty answered — "It's good to live, 
"To thrill to passion, to feel, to see, — 

"And I am not ready yet to give 

"My heart to you, — I would still be free!" 
* * * * 

Youth and Beauty met one day 

As the year was growing old; 
The rain-filled clouds hung bleak and grey. 
The birds and the flowers had gone away, 
Brown on the sod the seared leaves lay, 

And the earth was dead and cold. 

And Beauty whispered — "I've had my fill 
"Of laughter and joy, and must search anew 

"For the meaning of Life! I no longer thrill 
"To be free, so. Dear, let me come to you!" 

Youth sadly answered — "No more we'll hear 
"The songs of Spring that the birds have sung; 
"Your beauty has faded like flowers, Dear, 
"And I am no longer strong and young. 
"Our lips are withered, our hearts are bled, 
"Our veins run dry as the sapless trees, — 
"Our love lies shriveled and seared and dead 
"As the brown leaves stirred by the winter breeze! 
"Deep did you drink, and greedily, 
"But Life's wine is bitter on your tongue, — 
"O, why would you never come to me 
"When you were lovely, and I was young?" 



46 



SONG OF THE SOULFUL SOUSE 



V^H, it's great to go aridin', with my Cookie alongside in 

My flivver on a moonlit summer night; 
And I whisper how I love her, how I'm always dreamin' of her, 

While the shimmyin' stars above her twinkle bright. 

Through the fragrant night we flounder, and my arm steals close around her, 

And I tell her how I'll treat her if she'll marry me: 
That I'll doll her up in laces, that she'll bet at all the races, 

That I'll give her many cases of five-star Eau de Vie. 

Then I turn my little flivver down the old Shrewsbury river, 

And at Silvermere we debark for a bite; 
On the bay the moonlight's glancin', and the music's most entrancin', 

So we start a-madly dancin', huggin' tight. 

Then I call a pickaninny who soon gets my Cookie ginny — 

Gee — the Orange-Blossoms that they mix down there! 
And if I cry out for whiskey, and I start a-gettin' frisky. 

And my language becomes risque — she don't care! 

In my ears her voice is ringin', close to mine her hands are clingin'. 

And she's made a captive of me with her charms; 
And I slip the coon my money, and my heart's behavin' funny 

So I gather up my Honey in my arms. 

I don't care how drunk she may be, — she is not a new-born baby, 

And she never lets me kiss without a fight, — 
Then I put her in the flivver, and my good right arm I give her, 

And my hot heart is aquiver with delight! 

Then as homeward we go racin', from our path the moon keeps chasin' 

The shadows that the trees before us hurled, — 
And the soul of me is singin', and her lips to mine are clingin', 

Gee, — that Kid's the sweetest thing in all the world. 

Oh, man ne'er won richer booty than the red lips of my Cutie 

As she sways into my arms beneath the moon! 
Wine and Woman, Lass and Liquor, make my fierce heart pound the quicker, 
•And I'll prove that I'm so7}2e picker, Goddam soon! 



47 



ODE 



1 SPUN a web of silk out of my dreams 
To hold for aye the fragrance of your hair. 
I wove a filmy robe ot rainbow gleams 
Of thought, to keep you always young and fair. 



To guard you safe, while all the world roared by 
I built a shelter for you of my Youth — 
Reared of my hopes a temple to the sky, 
And set you there, and worshiped you, O Ruth! 



Your vivid beauty's of my fashioning — 
I kindled in your eyes those eager fires — 
Your blood is crimson with my passioning — 
Your panting heart is hot with my desires! 



Not e'en by Death from my arms you'll be torn 
Who were predestined for me since Earth's morn,- 
My kisses swept your lips e're you were born! 



48 



ONCE LONG AGO 



Oi 



'NCE, long ago, Dear,^envious of Night — 
I stole the silent stars from out the skies 
And placed them, gleaming, in a pool ot light. 
That they might all be mirrored in your eyes! 



From Orient lands I garnered with my ships 
The rarest roses that were blooming there, — 
I breathed their crimson blushes on your lips. 
Wafted their fragrance deep into your hair. 



From nightingale I won a wondrous note 

And others from the lark, — so mellow clear — 

I set them, all a-tremble, in your throat. 

So that your voice thrilled all who chanced to hear! 



From myth and storied fable, ages old. 
The purest thoughts, the sweetest words, I drew, 
I searched the souls of Angels tor their gold 
And then concentered all of it in you! 



The sculptured marble lent your limbs their grace. 
The sun shot golden gleams through your dark hair, 
The breeze blew crisping curls across your face 
And made its lovely oval e'en more fair! 



But when I saw the Beauty that my art 

Had fashioned of your image in my brain, 

Blindly I fell in worship of your heart 

That taught me passion, and that brought me pain! 



49 



OPEN WOUNDS 



IVIEN tell me that Time, with his minist'ring years, 
Can heal all our sorrows, and dry all our tears — 
That death-laden Sleep can o'erpower regret, 
For we breathe of the poppies of Night, and forget. 
But the wound in my heart is too great and too deep 
To be e'er healed by Time, or o'erpowered by Sleep! 



For the lilt of your voice, Dear, still throbs through my brain- 
It thrills me with mem'ries, and chills me with pain; 
The curve of your cheeks, and your shoulders' slim grace — 
The smile in your grave eyes — the light of your face — 
The warmth of your arms, and the scent of your hair 
That cloaked me like night as I prisoned you there 
'Gainst my heart, with the blood of me singing like wine, — 
And the red of your lips that were clinging to mine! 



Oh, I may forget all the torture and tears 
That were woven by Life in the woof of the years — 
But the dream of your love, Dear, is haunting me yet. 
And not through Eternity shall I forget! 



50 



DESIRE 



A HE first time I caught sight of you 
Your lips were curved for song; 
I wanted just a mite of you, 
One warm moon-silvered night of you 
To cheer my way along. 



I sensed the elfin art of you 
In every move and tone. 
And wanted then a part of you, 
The pass'nate pulsing heart of you 
To throb against my own. 



I cherished all the charms of you 

White as the fragrant foam; 
And prayed those slender arms of you, 
Those warm young tender arms of you 
Might always be my home! 



The kisses that I stole of you 
Burn on my lips like wine! 
And oh, — I want the whole of you — 
The fierce impassioned whole of you 
The body, heart and soul of you 
To be forever mine! 



51 



THE ROSE AND THE NIGHTINGALE 
(After an Oscar Wilde fairy-tale) 



1 HERE'S a legend, Dear, of ancient days. 
An Orient-pertumed tale, 
Of a lad in a garden who loved a maid — 
Of a rose and a nightingale. 

The rose was white as the snowy foam 

On the breast of the silver sea, 
And it nodded and swayed in the autumn breeze 

Alone on its scented tree. 

The nightingale swung on a lazy leaf 

Close to the rose's breath. 
And thrilled out her soul to the lad below 

On the glory of Love and De»th. 

And oh, how her tiny, fluttering heart 

Leapt when he near her strayed. 
For her dreams were all of the lonely lad, 

As his, ot the winsome maid. 

One night he lay on the dew-sweet grass, 

His eyes a-dream with love, 
While the nightingale swayed near the lone white rose 

And trilled to him from above. 

But the lad's poor heart bathed its hungry dreams 

Deep in the salt of his tears; 
And the joyous notes of the glorious song 

Fell on unheeding ears. 

And he cried in pain, — "One chance is left — 

"But all my hope is fled; 
"For she asked me to bring her a red, red rose — 

"And alas! They are long since dead!" 



52 



The nightingale, hearing, hushed her song 

And fluttered silently 
To the thorn that guarded the lone white rose 

Now drooping in sympathy. 

She pressed her breast on the cruel point 

Of the great, green-bladed dart, 
And her soul thrilled out in a wild, free song 

As it pierced her unhappy heart. 

All night the tiny bird sobbed out 

Her heart against the thorn. 
While the lone white rose, with every throb 

Grew red as the crimson morn! 

And as dawn arose in the eastern skies 

And flushed the world in red. 
The waking lad found the scarlet rose, — 

But the nightingale lay — dead! 



This is the story they spun, of old. 

And its truth. Dear, — Ah, who knows? 

Of a lad in a garden who loved a maid, — 
Of a nightingale and a rose. 

And, Dear, to-day there's another lad 

Living the selt-same tale — 
Yielding his soul to the passion of pain — 

Just like the nightingale! 

His warm blood stains the wild white rose 
Of your life into crimson morn, 

And he sobs his love through the cruel night 
With his heart against the thorn! 



53 



THE AWAKENING 



Whoever loves has a great Re-Birth, 

His senses are keened to the glories of Earth, 

To the dazzling mist of the rainbow's gleams, 

And the essence of beauty, and faith, and dreams. 

There's a wondrous joy that no one knows 

In the song of the lark, in the breath of the rose, — 

In the warmth of the sun and the light of the sea 

And the heart of a lover's ecstasy. 

And I, — I learned it all. Dear, then, 

So give me your lips to kiss again! 



54 



THE TALISMAN 



VyNE winter night, beneath a winter sky, 
I unexpected came to say Good-bye, 

And roused you from your dreams. 
Over my heart, aflame with love of you 
You pinned a tiny charm, with stones of blue 
xA.nd red and white, flashing like sunset dew, — 

How long ago it seems! 
And as it glistened blue, and white, and red, — 
"Oh, may it keep you safe from harm," you said. 



And through the years in camp and battlefield 
I wore it where you'd pinned it, as my shield 

To keep me safe and strong. 
Blue of your eyes that misted tenderly. 
White of your arms that fast encircled me. 
Red of your lips that would not set me free, — 

And in my ears your song! 
And, after weary days of tortured pain 
It brought me safely home to you again! 



And now, Dear Heart, I face another war, 
A fiercer one than e'er I fought before. 

Resounding with Life's ceaseless threnody. 
For this your talisman has lost its charm. 
And, if you still would keep me safe from harm. 
Yield yourself up into my hungry arm, 

And give your lips to me. 
This is my only hope, O Ruth Suzanne — 
That I may wear your Love as talisman! 



55 



THE SEA AND I 



1 LIKEN my heart to the silver sea, 
Pulsing its passion through the years; 

Sighing its love-song silently, 

Warming its dreams in the salt of its tears. 



But dreams are followed by pitiless morn 

Which scatters their visions with blood-red breath; 

And the flower of love has a cruel thorn 
Which turns delight to death! 



The sea is breaking its silver heart 
On the rainbow-flashing shore; 

And the thorn is tearing mine apart, 
To bleed for evermore! 



56 



A SOCIAL ERROR 



\y NE day I sat with Susie at 
A meal in her hotel; 

The people there all turned to stare- 
She looked so Ritz and swell. 



And I discussed — as needs I must 
To hide my burning passion — 

The price of shoes, the latest news 
From world of crime and fashion. 



I told her of Miss Widener's love 
For a lad of obscure name; 

How they'd eloped, and how I hoped 
Some day she'd do the same. 



She raised her eyes, in sweet surprise. 
And long she laughed at me, 

/•\11 because I had said "Fi-Fi," 
Instead of saying "Fi-Fi!" 



57 



JUNE TWILIGHT 



v^N the meadows the twilight is falling, 
The pink flushes fade from the sky, 
A querulous robin is calling 
Her young from their wand'rings nearby. 
A tremulous silence sinks over 
The hot-heaving heart of the sea; 
And the dew glistens gold on the clover 
Released from the lust of the bee. 
The crickets have started their singing, 
Dark shadows creep up toward the west; 
And there a gaunt fish-hawk goes winging 
Her way to her lone naked nest. 
The leaves of the maple are trembling 
Beneath the night-wind's breath, 
As the heart of a woman dissembling 
Her fear in the presence of Death. 



And out from the meadows comes stealing 

The perfume of roses and sea, 

Till it quickens the senses, revealing 

Old visions, long vanished to me. 

And memories come crowding and thronging,- 

The breeze brings them fresh on each gust — 

Of starlight and whispers and longing 

That years have long changed into dust. 

There wafts a low voice to me, thrilling 

Sweet words that I'll never forget. 

And the ghosts of caresses are filling 

The spaces of night with regret. 

And oh, how it hurts to remember — 

For Youth leaves such long-lasting gleams — 

That June must aye turn to September, 

And Love to the ashes of dreams! 



58 



THE FAIRY RING 



Tt 



HERE'S a slender span of blue and gold 

Upon my finger gleaming, 
That binds me round with love untold, 
With haunting hopes, and thoughts of old, — 

Old starlight and old dreaming. 



Three happy years it's glistened fair 

Since the first day I wore it; 
So tight it clings — I cannot tear 
It off. No, it shall nestle there 
With all my life before it. 



There's magic in its golden band 

That nightly brings me healing: 
I feel it throbbing on my hand. 
And lo! — through the dim shadow-land 
Your dear sweet face comes stealing. 



And some day Death to life shall bring 

My prayer since first Love found me — 
Once more to mine your lips shall cling, 
And your young arms, Dear, like the Ring, 
Shall circle tight around me! 



59 



LOYALTY 



jL/ ONG centuries past I was a boy, 

And loved a maiden mightily; 
My himgry heart was hut her toy, — 
Her lips the cup which held my joy 
Of ecstasy! 



The weary years roll endless by, 
And she is far away from me. 
But still, in all my wand'rings, I 
Cling to the thoughts that bring her nigh 
In memory. 



Oh, if you still can hear me. Sue, 
Where'er you dwell so happily — 
Know that my heart is ever true, 
Know that my dreams are filled with you, 
Know, Dear, that I shall love you through 
Eternity! 



60 



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